Unfortunately my dad passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago so I will have some older black powder guns to sell off. I grew up firing them and know they were in useable condition when stored. Is there any market for them anywhere? Ideas on where to start with valuing them? I'd keep them but the wife is not comfortable with firearms in the house. Also, where would I dispose of unfired loose .22 shells? There are about 200 in a duffel bag I need to get rid of.

I'll take the 22lr.I think you have my #

Scratch the disposal of the .22 shells. My wife surprised me by being interested in firing the .22 rifle so I'll likely dispose of the shells by firing them.

if she's onboard with a .22, black poweder will be next. Its actually fun. Believe me dont get rid of them, you'll regret it. I speak from expeirance here.

Yeah, I guess I'll see what she thinks of the .22 before I sell the black powder. I really enjoyed firing the black powder guns. I think I'll end up with 6 black powder pistols.

I second the..."Keep them" because they are just like a savings account.
You can go to these 2 websites and at least get a good idea of where to start as far as price goes.

I'm very sorry to hear about your dad.

http://www.gunbroker.com/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

These sites are like Ebay, you can get good deals sometimes if you are diligent, but you can find lots of over inflated prices too. Like I said, a good place to start and find out +/- what they are going for.

Sentimental value. Then you cant sell them. If there is a break-in in your house most punks wouldn't know the first thing about black powder.

Yeah, sorry about your loss. And the next part isn't easy to deal with either. You have my prayers! But as others have said, you should really keep the guns. They are heirlooms. And if you're wife is interested in keeping the .22, then I also believe you should fan that fire and perhaps she'd gain some interest in others. Perhaps get her in with other shooting women.

Lastly, the guns themselves are harmless and as Rob said, most people don't know a thing about how to load them. It's not like dropping a shell in and firing. Far more complicated than that. So even if, God Forbid, a child got ahold of any of them and had all the ingredients, there is nearly a 0% chance the child could fire it.

^ what they said.

Save the guns. I taught my wife how to handle and shoot all my guns. She is fine with them now.

It's just sad that so many folks reaction to guns is a knee-jerk, instead of trying to understand them. Automobiles are just as dangerous, of not more so.